Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 17, 1994                   TAG: 9404180116
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By JEAN VOGLER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LET'S ALL GET INVOLVED TO MAKE COMMUNITY BETTER FOR KIDS

The New River Valley is to be commended for services it provides for children, but we need to address their remaining needs.

The New River Valley is below the national average in the number of young children provided with comprehensive services. How can we expect these children to be ready to learn when they enter school?

Three out of four 3- and 4-year-old children living in poverty in the valley receive no comprehensive services, according to data from both Head Start and the Montgomery County 2006 Task Force.

The first educational goal announced after the 1989 Education Summit in Charlottesville stated, "By the year 2000, all children in America will start school ready to learn." It called for children to receive nutrition and health care so they would arrive at school with healthy minds and bodies. Parents would have access to needed training and support.

Note that the goal states: ALL children. When we make the choice to invest resources in helping children, everyone wins. Children are happier and healthier, and parents are empowered and affirmed. We save money in the future on the cost of school failure and benefit from more competent workers and citizens.

Children need high-quality education and care, particularly children at risk. They need an appropriate curriculum, well-trained staff, small classes and consistent caregivers. Communities must be involved in helping to meet the needs of children and families.

The New River Valley is fortunate to have a number of agencies providing services. Head Start serves 308 children and their families through nine centers. Six home visitors provide education, encourage parent involvement, conduct family needs assessments and arrange for medical and dental care.

The Child Health Investment Project provides health coverage through local doctors when families are not on Medicaid or covered by health insurance.

The New River Valley Early Intervention Council is an interagency program that provides services for developmentally delayed infants and toddlers. The public schools work with developmentally delayed preschool children.

The Virginia Tech Resource and Referral service provides information about community resources, helps families find care for family members, provides training for child-care providers and helps develop quality child care.

Other agencies include the Women's Resource Center, the New River Valley Community Services Board, Raft, Single Parent/Homemakers Program at New River Community College and New River Community Action. Community volunteers, the public schools and interns from the local colleges also help meet the needs of local children.

We must extend our collaboration with existing community resources and create new opportunities. We must secure funding creatively and advocate government assistance.

Jean Vogler is a member of the New River Valley Association for Early Childhood Education and is assistant director of the Virginia Tech Child Development Laboratory.